Car Troubles

Undecided

Hi All,

I went up to my daughters to kick off her old van for my Grandaughter, the battery was dead, she had left the interior lights on. I wasn't thinking properly, I let my car run for a while with the battery cables connected. This is a no no with a GM car. The alternator will blow if the battery isn't charged to at least 12.6 volts and since I was connected to her dead battery it blew my alternator. I had just put a new battery in my car so I got home OK on the battery, although it was dark and I had to burn the lights and run the wipers.

Anyway the car had belonged to my sister-in-law and she had replaced the alternator in 1997 and kept the waranty in the glove compartment. It made me sad to see her husband's name on the receipt, he died a couple of years ago. Anyway it had a life time warranty so I was able to get a new one free. A friend I had worked with a few years ago waited on me so I had no problem with the replacement. It would have cost me $135 dollars if I hadn't had the reciept.

It was a job to replace it though, but everything worked out OK. Now I feel a lot better. Why they use metric bolts on a USA car I don't understand. I don't understand why a little problem like that makes me feel so upset until I get it fixed. It didn't use to matter at all to me. I guess it's my age, maybe?

Ken P.

Edited by - Undecided on 14 December 2002 15:6:21

Edited by - Undecided on 14 December 2002 15:6:35

Edited by - Undecided on 14 December 2002 15:7:23

Jourles

Whenever you jump another vehicle, you should ALWAYS keep the "donor" vehicle turned off and let the "jumped" vehicle start off of the donor's battery via the jumper cables. Once it has started, remove the cables and let the vehicle run for a little bit so that it can recharge its own battery.

So many people do not realize that you are putting a tremendous load on the donor vehicles alternator if it is running. You need to remember that once a car is started, it is the alternator that is "powering" the vehicle, not the battery. It is the cranking amps which draws the most current at the outset and is the most damaging factor for the donor's car alternator.

Undecided

Thanks Jourles,

I have always left the donor car running, but what you mentioned makes good sense. I will always turn off the donor car now. This is the first time I've had a problem, but I've just been lucky I guess. Really you should take the battery out and recharge it before starting the car, but sometimes you are not at home and can't.

Ken P.

Bendrr

Why they use metric bolts on a USA car I don't understand.

Get used to it, it's been that way for many years now. So many go overseas and so may parts are made overseas that it's a given.

Go to Sears after Christmas and buy yourself a set of Gearwrench(tm) wrenches:

And definitely invest in a pair of Knipex Cobra channel locks:

You'll never need another pair of pliers/channel locks ever again. I bought my first pair in 95, used daily since then, ran over them once or twice, held red-hot metal with them, and it was only this year that I finally replaced them. And Sears has a great deal on them. I paid $60 for just one 12" pair of the Knipex channel locks, but that was on the tool truck.

Mike.

Edited by - bendrr on 14 December 2002 17:18:0

Edited by - bendrr on 14 December 2002 17:19:41

ugg

nothing worse than car troubles!!!!!!!!!!!! bummer....glad it got fixed ok...

Undecided

Hi Bendrr,

I bought a set of metric wrenches several years ago, luckly. I'm too cheap to buy tools from Sears, I just go to Big Lots and pick up a tool now and then when they are really cheap. Most are made in China but are really pretty good. Since I don't use them except ocasionally, they last OK. I have a few tools from my Grandpa, and Dad. My Grandpa was a loom fixer at the Karastan Rug mill here in Eden NC(Leaksville then) back in the 30s.

My tool box is so heavy I can barely carry it. I have three, machanic, plumber and carpenter. I have always done my own work but it's getting too much for me sometimes lately. Old age is catching up on me.

Ken P.

DakotaRed

Ken, if you really wish to invest a small amount in something worth while, buy a good quality set of jumper cables to keep with you. Mine are a heavy 8 guage cable. The heavier the cable, the more the current flow and less problems jumping another car. With the smaller cheap variety, the current does not flow as easily and it requires you to let one vehicle run longer whereas with the heavier, it flows enough to often just start right up. A good set may cost about $40, but that's a lot cheaper than a new alternator.

As to metric vs SAE, I don't really mind either. I just wish they would make up their minds and do one or the other. Many of the newer vehicles are using both on the same car. My tool box requires a fork lift to pick it up. But, it's taken me 35 years to get all of them too.

Lew W

Undecided

You are absolutely right Lew, I need a better pair of cables. Let's just hope I dont need them anytime soon.

Ken P.

Been there

One of the best things my husband invested in (cost about $50) was one of those portable jumper things. You just hook it to the battery and you can start the car (or truck in his case) He has a small fleet of work trucks that take thier turns at having dead batteries. So much easier than jumping with another vehicle, can stand about 3 jumps before needing recharged. It also has a lighter outlet on it to run things that need a lighter. Pretty neat invention.

Car Troubles

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